"Just a little Shi fun"- Shilese Jones shows balance beam routine as she returns to the gym after missing Paris Olympics due to an injury

By Janhavi Shinde

Modified Aug 30, 2024 06:22 GMT

Shilese Jones recently made a comeback to gymnastics after missing a spot on the team for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Jones missed the spot after citing an injury right before the Olympic Trials commenced.

The American gymnast tripped over the vault while executing a double Yurchenko pike during the warmup session of the 2024 US Olympic Gymnastics Team Trials held in June, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was forced to withdraw from the competition after suffering an ACL tear.

Jones informed her fans of the withdrawal on social media, thus concluding her 2024 Olympic quest.

"I’m devastated beyond words... 4 weeks ago I was ripped away from the biggest dream of my career," she wrote. "Unfortunately, I tore my ACL and meniscus just minutes before competing at my second Olympic Trials 💔 Despite the pain, the fighter in me still wanted to continue with competing on bars."

However, the multiple-time world championship medalist expressed her enthusiasm to compete at the 2028 LA Games.

"Now, I’m shifting focus to the future and my next chapter ahead - which is why I’m excited to announce you will see me on the road to LA 2028🫶🏽"

Months after withdrawing due to an injury, Jones returned in great shape and resumed her training regimen. She shared a video of herself effortlessly executing a routine on the bars and wrote,

"Just a little Shi fun.🤭"

Shilese Jones earned a spot to compete at the 2024 US Olympic Gymnastics Team Trials after issuing a petition

Shilese Jones performs her floor routine during the 2024 Core Hydration Gymnastics Classic in Hartford, Connecticut. USA. (Photo via Getty Images)

Shilese Jones earned a spot to compete at the 2024 US Olympic Gymnastics Team Trials after issuing a petition.

She withdrew from competing at the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships held from May 30 to June 2, 2024, after suffering a severe shoulder injury earlier that month during the Core Hydration Classic (May 17 and 18, 2024).

At the Core Hydration Classic, she displayed a stunning performance, securing second place in the all-around behind Simone Biles, posting a total of 57.650 points. Given her appearance at two World Championships (2022 Liverpool and 2023 Antwerp) and in two events at the US Classic, her petition was approved.

Following the occurrence of injury at the Olympic Trials, Jones missed the spot for the Games for the second time, after the 2021 Trials.